Big game at Treadwell - 1903

A basketball game account from 100 years ago

January 17, 1903 (Treadwell Y.M.C.A. notes) - Yesterday was a red letter day in the history of Treadwell, though a noticeable large number were affected with the ‘blues.’

The event was the game of basketball between the office and store boys. The store and offices were draped with the colors of the opposing forces, and nearly every customer left the building wearing great streamers of ribbon of blue or crimson.

Early in the evening a large crowd gathered to witness the fray and standing room was at a premium. Superintendant MacDonald was appointed official timekeeper and Assistant Superintendant Kenzio as scorer. In the absence of Professor Holt, Jack Henson, of Douglas, was appointed one of the umpires.

The ringing of the gong called the players into the field promptly at 8:30 p.m. Their appearance was greeted with vociferous applause. They were dressed in natty costumes in keeping with their colors. The office team wore blue sleeveless shirts with a white star upon the breast, white knee trousers with a blue stripe down the sides, black stockings and white shoes. The store crew wore black shirts and close fitting black tights, each wearing upon the breast a triangle of red with the letter T in the center.

The game consisted of two 20-minute halves, and when time was called at the end of the first half the score stood 4 to 6 in favor of the store team. For a time in the second half the score remained unchanged. Then the office team ties the score by throwing a field goal, after which each team added one point to its score, and when time was called it stood 7 to 7. The tie will be decided by another game to be played in the future.

Most of the goals were thrown by Messrs. Bonino and Ledbetter of the office team, and McCormick of the store.

Willie claims that Christoe nearly broke a rib in the bear hug given him at the close of the first half. McCormick carries a black eye as a result of the fray. Dan Webster is limping about with a stiff knee, but says he’s all right. Two or three other players received a few bumps and bruises, but no one sustained any serious injury.

After the game last evening 200 sacks of fresh roasted peanuts were distributed among the audience at the expense of the captain of the opposing teams. One glance about the building after the crowd had dispersed was sufficient evidence of appreciation. Peanut shells were strewn from garret to cellar, but who cares so long as everybody had a good time.